I'm so so so so proud of them I know I'm slow in posting this news, but I was rereading it and I felt like I needed to post up these pieces of news! Credits to A New Fever - DBSKer (http://dbsker.blgospot.com)

News 1:

DBSK is a Trend in Japan

(I know this is 2 weeks late but I want to document this nonetheless because it is such an awesome feat)

TVXQ / Tohoshinki is becoming a trend in Japan. TVXQ was listed as a trend on November 14th's NHK's Zoom In Super Show.

On the show they were revealing the results of a survey poll for "The biggest Trends of 2008." Number 1 was the Iphone 3G, Number 2 was Nintendo, and TVXQ was listed as Number 3 on the poll. TVXQ was the only living thing on the poll. I thought this was pretty funny and cool, thanks to amy for the tip.


Credit: AllKpop



News 2:

DBSK MAKES HISTORY
Currently the ones shining in Korea and Asia is DBSK. DBSK's 4th album MIROTIC has taken over the number one spot in Korea, Japan, Thailand and etc. Last October DBSK took 1st place in weekly Oricon chart and had highest album sales for foreign artists in Thailand.

DBSK on the 15th in "2008 M.Net KM Music Festival" had won ALBUM of the Year, the highest Daesang, as well as took over the BIG5 awards even with the long out of country activites, without a shake, and without a doubt. They have once again took over the title of Korea's Best Idol Group and have proven this so.

On the 20th in the Hanteo Charts, DBSK 4th album hit 300,000 album sales. SM.ENT company has announced, however, that they have reached 360,000 currently. (T/N: HANTEO charts updates are slower.)

With the current state of digital sales being over album sales, DBSK's ability to sell over 300,000 album is truly amazing and meaningful. This year has been the best year for artists/idols passing 100,000 album sales, with Kim Dong-Yul, Big Bang, Brown Eyes, Seo Taiji and more passing record sales of 100,000, the amount of sales for DBSK has surpassed even this.

In reality, the image of idol group is not that of an artist, but just singers with visual looks. Because of this idol group's music are considered not sophisticated enough among korean music fans.

However this is not the case for DBSK. For DBSK, starting with their debut in 2004, all of their 4 albums sales have been around 300,000.

DBSK BREAKS 'IDOL - COLORED SINGERS' IMAGE. (T/N: colored - great on the outside..not much going on in reality)
Korean music critic Mr. Kim said that DBSK has the most loyal fans among any idol groups and this is why they were able to accomplish this even during the hard hit time when album sales were worst for singers in 2004.

Kim said "DBSK's fans, instead of going with the new digital sales, stay with purchasing albums very strictly, and through this they show that believe and know that to support their favorate artist and to show their respect, purchasing the album is the best way to support them"

By buying albums Korean fans and music lovers show that they really appreciate and agree that the quality of the music is in high standards.

Kim said "Big Bang and Wonder Girls debuted around time when digital sales were normal and DBSK had debuted around time when album sales were still popular. So the fans know, are used to, and understand more how important purchasing albums are and they stick with tradition"

And DBSK does not just have fans in the 10's but also all throughout the 30's. Because they have a wide age range in fans, it helps their albums sell more, especially since image of a more mature and manly DBSK has appealed to fans in the 20's as well.

WHY DBSK POPULAR IN ASIA
DBSK are able to gain popularity not just in korea because they are a group with everything: image, vocals, and dance skills. This is a rare case. Starting from their debut, DBSK has always shown the most powerful stage performances with lives. Starting 3 years ago, DBSK had been doing small concerts in Japan to get used to stepping into areas of unfamiliarity. Their live performances are the best. Their tall bodies and idol facial images is what DBSK adds to their talents.

Music critic Im Jin Mo has said "in DBSK's case, their image and performance as well as music has nothing for the critics to pick on. We can't really find a bad point about them to bash about. Especially with this 4th album - it has helped DBSK and people to realize how much DBSK appeals to fans all over Korea and Asia."

KIM "The reason DBSK is being accepted as artists in Japan even with their idol looks is because of their skills." "There are no idol groups in Japan that has everything from looks, great vocals and perfect dance performaces, this is why DBSK appeals to them. They are filling that empty spot for the Japanese fans."

Kim Ki Woong (MNET CP) "DBSK is a group that has surpassed the 1st generation idols H.O.T."

UNIT GROUPS/SOLOS? NO! Reason is DBSK's stubborness.
Many idols currently are busy doing solo work as well as unit groups, but DBSK has never publicly done solo works.

Unit performances can definitely help the group to gain more popularity among various categories in the entertainment industry, but this can also bring negative effect to the groups. Also the image of solo work can get in way with the image of the members in groups as a whole too.

SM ENTERTAINMENT has said "DBSK will not be doing any SOLO work in the future or neither do we have any plans for it" "DBSK is a group that puts GROUP and TEAM first. "

MBC MUSIC CORE PD
"DBSK is like fusion food. You can put them anywhere in Asia and they will still be on top."
- Their vocal stills are really great. They have surpassed the past image of idols. They also are very good at keeping their group image. Since their debut I have never seen their image crumble and this is rare to see a group that have kept their image well this long... The reason why they were able to do this is because DBSK members are a very hard working group and they don't give up. They must be extremely tired with their schedule but I've never seen them show their weak side ever. Even when I meet them to have a conversation during recording, they always show high energy.

SBS INKIGAYO PD
"They are an idol's dream as well as an idol's end." (T/N: meaning they are what all idols wish to be what they dream about, and DBSK will end the idol world themselves meaning they will carry their fame till the end.)

- DBSK's performance, charisma, music, and visual image are best. They've shown a lot more relaxation onstage recently but their performance energy has gotten bigger. Are there any groups that can compare their talents with DBSK right now?

M.NET COUNTDOWN PD
"DBSK is Korea's representing idols because they are the highest idols of our country. They are at the top of the peak."

DBSK has surpassed the image of the 1st generation H.O.T. Their performance and music has been upgraded. Especially DBSK'S MIROTIC-Jumun; there are no groups or singers that can actually be able to do this music and actually make it look good as DBSK does. Their 'pose' on stage isn't something you can joke around about.

-------------------
credits: spn edaily 12
trans: virvir111@soompi (slight edits for understanding by clicheterms)




News 3:

DBSK/Tohoshinki invited to Kohaku: Japan's Most-Watched Music Concert

In many interviews, the boys had mentioned that it was their dream to be invited to Kohaku, the biggest annual Japanese end-of-the-year music show, boardcasted on New Year's Eve by NKH on radio and TV. Lots of big entertainers are invited to this concert and split into teams. In the end, viewers can vote for the team they believe should win. Sounds pretty exicting!

According to Wikipedia:

Literally "Red and White Song Battle," the program divides the most popular music artists of the year into competing teams of red and white. The "red" team made up of all female artists , while the "white" team is all male. The honor of performing on Kōhaku is strictly by invitation, so only the most successful J-Pop artists and enka singers can perform. In addition to the actual music performances, the costumes, hair-styles, makeup, dancing, and lighting are also important. Even today, a performance on Kōhaku is said to be a big highlight in a singer's career because of the show's large reach.

Finally, it was revealed today that DBSK will be attending!
CONGRATULATIONS BOYS!


Sources:
http://hochi.yomiuri.co.jp/entertainment/news/20081125-OHT1T00021.htm
http://headlines.yahoo.co.jp/hl?a=20081125-00000047-spn-ent

I translated S.H.E's 你最近还好吗 last night. Don't ask me why. Haha. Heard the song, got inspired, searched for translation, but found a few bad ones, so decided to translate it myself. A waste to leave it lying around in my comp. So here it is. Just for fun. :)

你最近还好吗 translation

挑一张耶诞卡写上满满祝福的话

Picking out a Christmas card filled with blessings

地址写的是心底

Sent from the heart

你能不能收到它

Are you able to receive it?

天有点冷 风有点大

The weather is a little cold and windy

城市宁静而喧哗

The city is bustling in silence

这一个冬天我得一个人走回家

I’ll have to walk home alone this winter

问自己习惯了吗

I’m asking myself if I’ve gotten used to it

没有你每到夜里回声变得好大

A deafening echo rings with each night without you

有没有什么好方法

Is there any other way

让寂寞更听话

To tame this loneliness

你最近还好吗

How are you recently?

是不是也在思念里挣扎

Are you too, struggling in the yearnings

你说会记得我 还记得吗

Do you still remember the promise that you’ll remember me?

你最近还好吗

How are you recently?

忙碌吗累吗心还会痛吗

Are you busy? Tired? Will your heart still ache?

如果真不得已忘了我

If you really have to forget about me

快向快乐出发

Please move towards happiness

有再多的牵挂都已没有权利表达

I no longer have the rights to express how much I miss you

旧情人给的问候

A greeting from an ex-lover

比陌生人还尴尬

Is more awkward than one from a stranger

昨天远了 明天还长

Yesterday has long past and tomorrow is still far away

回忆模糊但巨大

Our memories have faded but remained significant

这样的深夜眼泪要怎样不流下

How can I stop these tears from falling in a night like this

问自己习惯了吗

I’m asking myself if I’ve gotten used to it

没有你每到夜里回声变得好大

A deafening echo rings with each night without you

有没有什么好方法

Is there any other way

让寂寞更听话

To tame this loneliness

你最近还好吗

How are you recently?

是不是也在思念里挣扎

Are you too, struggling in the yearnings

你说会记得我 还记得吗

Do you still remember the promise that you’ll remember me?

你最近还好吗

How are you recently?

忙碌吗累吗心还会痛吗

Are you busy? Tired? Will your heart still ache?

如果真不得已忘了我

If you really have to forget about me

快向快乐出发

Please move towards happiness

你最近还好吗

How are you recently?

是不是也在思念里挣扎

Are you too, struggling in the yearnings

你说会记得我 还记得吗

Do you still remember the promise that you’ll remember me?

你最近还好吗

How are you recently?

忙碌吗累吗心还会痛吗

Are you busy? Tired? Will your heart still ache?

如果真不得已忘了我

If you really have to forget about me

快向快乐出发

Please move towards happiness

I Dare you.

1) Whoever can confidently come out and say that you've been there when I needed someone the most. When I needed a shoulder to lean on, a listening ear and most importantly, a friend, who did that?

2) To come out straight in my face to tell me that I'm making false accusations at them. That I'm being a fucking emo shit and that they are pissed at me.

I Fucking DARE you!

Sometimes I feel that I'm a PMS-ing old hag. But sometimes I think it is true that I've been getting negative vibes from them. And sadly, I'm the kind who respond negatively to negative vibes and in this case, 2 minuses doesn't equals to a plus. But hey, it always takes 2 hands to clap right?

Really, I rather they come out straight to tell me. Hey, I don't like you. So you are not our good friend anymore. At least, the pain is short and I won't have any expectations. Don't treat me nicely one time and then snap and get irritated with me the next moment. Just let me know if you don't want me to join in your group activities. I'll appreciate the frankness.

Who cares if one day they read this. Maybe they themselves should reflect too. But I doubt they will find fault in themselves. Like as if they have ever. It's always other people's fault. =P

Fate wants me to be alone and left out. So what can I do? 任命！

I can't sleep. Many images and thoughts are running through my head right now.

I can be quite certain that they are definitely not the people I thought they were when we were still in Singapore.

I remember having a hard time over here when the news got to me. Maybe even devastated. When I was feeling sad in the morning, instead of asking if anything was wrong, they chose to walk away from me. She knows what happened, but it never occurred to her I'll be sad? How can she later in the day tell me that I suddenly turned emo? The other she changed so much. Now, her life and fun revolved around him and her. All others, she don't really have much time for. Disappointing, so if they move, she will move. No questions asked. He, mentioned before that if he cares for someone, he will ask if that person is ok. Never happened to me. Always the "in" guy. Whatever he does, someone will definitely follow. Leader of the pack? But is he always right? I don't think so. But he thinks he is. And the people around think he is too. So who am I to say anything else?

I'm getting immuned to being left out. They always say perfect information. Like real! Maybe just within the 3 of them. 2 of them will definitely share info, like duh, they are always together. The other she, like I said, wants to have fun and be in the "in" group. They find her interesting and funny anyway. So info stops there. I feel like I'm being brought back to Primary School times, when whenever I ask, they either roll their eyes and can't be bothered to tell me or they just ignore me. Wonderful right? Oh, must I mention that I hated my Primary School life?

I remember this so vividly. Recording for a lecture I missed with her was done. But the recording was only passed to her. When I asked, I got "THE LOOK" and was chided to watch the online one instead. Oh my, they are so friendly. If I didn't accidentally overhear them talking about recording, I wouldn't even know they recorded it. Maybe in this case, if I didn't know, I would feel better.

They are now a party of 3 and they are just obliged to include me cause it was supposed to be a party of 4. Seeing the way they outcast other people, bitch about other people, I know that they have been talking behind my back. Someone can vouch for that anyway. I've got confirmation that they have indeed been talking behind my back. At this rate, I'll soon be outcasted and seriously, I can "wait" and hear endless stories behind my back.

Even the jokes I say are met with silence. If someone else was to say the same thing, they would be laughing. But as long as it comes out from me. No way. I'll be glad if it is just silence. Sometimes I just get snapped at. Wonderful right?

It's not just here. Where is my special friend when I need her? Am I just a phase in her life? Maybe. Probably. Most likely. She no longer has time to listen to me. No time to sit down and provide me with a listening ear, a compassionate heart and sincere advice.

I'll always be a face without a name. A blurry face most likely.

So many things have happened. I'm too tired. I don't want to seem weak. I don't want to be weak. But maybe I overestimate myself.

I'll never see Serangoon Ah Ma anymore. Though I know this quite some time ago, but it always creep back into my heart on cold and dark nights like this.

Where are the people I thought who cared about me? Or maybe I never had one to begin with. I don't believe in perfect information. I don't believe in all this crap. All I know is, no matter how you deny, a fact is a fact. You may say I think too much, you may think I'm crazy. But I know that no matter how hard I try to be nonchalant about it, on nights like this, it will get to me. I've got no where to run. No one to run to.

But seriously, who can understand and sympathise with me? I don't think anyone can. To others, I'm always the girl who thinks too much, feels too much and cares too much. I'm the girl with low self-confidence. I'm the girl who cares a lot about how others view me. I'm the girl who is not important in anyone's life.

I feel like banging my head on the wall. At times like this, I wish I can teleport back home and run away.